Articles of Clothing With Beads

ABSTRACT

Articles of clothing with beads are described. According to one aspect, an article of clothing to be worn by an individual includes a clothing layer configured to cover at least a portion of the body of the individual when the article of clothing is worn by the individual and a plurality of beads attached to the clothing layer, wherein the beads are provided between an outermost surface of the clothing layer and skin of the individual when the article of clothing is worn by the individual.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to articles of clothing with beads.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Humans have developed and relied upon many diverse types of clothing for many different purposes throughout history. Clothing has been developed for protection from the elements, protection during various occupations or activities, for formal engagements, etc. Many specific articles of clothing have been developed for use by humans in specific applications or situations. In addition, many improvements have also been made to specific types of articles of clothing over time. Some example advancements in clothing include the development of specialized (e.g., synthetic) materials for use in clothing including materials which repel water, provide insulation, provide protection from the sun, reflect light, etc.

In one specific example of articles of clothing which have been developed for specific purposes, wetsuits have been developed for use by swimmers, surfers, water-skiers, and divers in waters which have temperatures below levels which are comfortable for humans. Wetsuits may include one or more layers of materials which conform to the user's body and provide insulation to retain the individual's heat while being used in cold temperatures. For example, a wetsuit may include an outer layer which can stretch with the individual's movements and provide insulation as well as an additional inner lining layer and/or additional layers.

At least some of the aspects described herein disclose articles of clothing which provide advantages compared with conventional clothing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a swath of an article of clothing according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a bead which is attached to the article of clothing according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative representation of beads incorporated into an article of clothing which assist with donning or doffing of an article of clothing according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative representation of a wetsuit according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative representation of a footwear insole according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

At least some embodiments of the disclosure are directed to the incorporation of beads into articles of clothing. For example, the clothing and beads may be configured to assist individuals with donning or doffing of the article of clothing and provide increased comfort, increased blood flow, and/or message during use. According to some embodiments described below, a plurality of beads are attached to interior portions of different articles of clothing. The beads may be configured to rotate in some example implementations described further below.

According to one embodiment, an article of clothing to be worn by an individual comprises a clothing layer configured to cover at least a portion of the body of the individual when the article of clothing is worn by the individual and a plurality of beads attached to the clothing layer, wherein the beads are provided between an outermost surface of the clothing layer and skin of the individual when the article of clothing is worn by the individual.

According to an additional embodiment, a wetsuit comprises a thermal insulating layer which is configured to cover at least a portion of the body of an individual and to retain at least some heat of the individual when the wetsuit is worn by the individual, and a plurality of beads attached to the thermal insulating layer and which are provided adjacent to skin of the individual when the wetsuit is worn by the individual.

According to another embodiment, a footwear insole comprises a supporting layer which is provided between an outsole of footwear which comprises the insole and a foot of an individual wearing the footwear, and wherein the supporting layer is configured to support the foot of the individual when the foot is inserted into the footwear, and a plurality of beads attached to the supporting layer and wherein the beads are positioned between the supporting layer and the foot of the individual when the individual is wearing the footwear.

Referring to FIG. 1, a swath of an article of clothing 10 is shown according to one embodiment. The article of clothing 10 includes a clothing layer 12 which is configured to be worn by an individual and to cover at least a portion of a body of the individual. The illustrated example article of clothing 10 of FIG. 1 includes a single clothing layer 12. Other articles of clothing 10 may include a plurality of clothing layers which may be joined together, stitched, or bonded.

The illustrated swath of the article of clothing 10 includes a plurality of beads 14 which are attached to clothing layer 12 adjacent to a surface 13 of the clothing layer 12. The beads 14 may be incorporated into any article of clothing 10 which may be worn by an individual and which may be made of different types of clothing materials. Some more specific example types of clothing which may include beads as described herein according to some embodiments include pants, shirts, undergarments, long underwear, snow ski wear, jackets, uniforms, hats, footwear, wetsuits, etc.

In one embodiment, the beads 10 are attached to the clothing layer 12 adjacent to surface 13 which is an innermost surface of the article of clothing 10. Accordingly, the beads 10 attached adjacent to surface 13 in this described embodiment contact the skin of the individual when the article of clothing 10 is worn if the individual wears the article of clothing 10 with no other clothing underneath. As described further below, the beads 10 may be attached to the article of cloth 10 in a manner which permits the beads 10 to rotate which may facilitate donning or doffing of the article of clothing 10, provide increased comfort, provide increased blood flow, and/or massage to the individual compared with conventional garments.

Referring to FIG. 2, one embodiment of one of the beads 14 which may be attached to a clothing layer 12 is shown. The bead 14 is plastic in one configuration and may have one of a plurality of different sizes depending upon the particular type of article of clothing 10 to which the beads 14 will be incorporated into. For example, the beads 14 may individually have a diameter of ¼″-½″. Furthermore, some individual articles of clothing 10 may utilize a plurality of beads of different sizes.

The bead 14 is attached to the clothing layer 12 adjacent to surface 13 of an article of clothing. In one embodiment mentioned above, surface 13 is an innermost or interior surface of the article of clothing and the beads 14 are provided adjacent to the skin of an individual when the article of clothing is worn by an individual, and perhaps contact the skin of the individual if the article of clothing is worn by the individual without underlying garments in one embodiment.

In the illustrated example attachment configuration, bead 14 includes an aperture which extends through an axis at the center of the bead 14. The example attachment configuration also includes an attachment member 18 which passes through the aperture of the bead 14 and opposite ends of the attachment member 18 pass through the clothing layer 12. In one implementation, attachment member 18 is a string or line, such as synthetic sinew. Other attachment members 18 may be used in other embodiments.

In one embodiment, the ends of the attachment member 18 are tied in a single or double square knot 20 at the surface of the clothing layer 12 which is opposite to the interior surface 13. The attachment member 18 is attached to the clothing layer 12 at locations which are immediately adjacent to opposing sides of the bead 14 being attached to the clothing layer 12 in the illustrated example embodiment. In this example attachment configuration, the bead 14 is configured to rotate about the attachment member 18.

Many additional acceptable attachment configurations of attaching the beads 14 to the clothing layer 12 are possible. For example, a plurality of beads 14 may be attached by a single attachment member to an article of clothing 10. A plurality of knots or stitches of one or more attachment member may be provided on opposite sides of individual beads to attach the beads to the article of clothing in another embodiment. In yet another embodiment, the ends of an attachment member may be attached to the clothing layer 12 and the attachment member may extend through a plurality of beads 14 with no knots or stitching between the individual beads. In another embodiment, the beads 14 may be attached in an arrangement which does not permit the beads 14 to rotate.

In some embodiments, the beads 14 may be incorporated into substantially an entirety of the interior of the article of clothing 10 to contact the skin and/or undergarment of the individual when the article of clothing 10 is worn by the individual. In other embodiments, the beads 14 may be incorporated into less than an entirety of the interior of the article of clothing 10 and only specified portions of the interior of the article of clothing 10 may include the beads 14. An example of an article of clothing 10 which includes the beads only in certain interior portions of the article of clothing are described below with respect to an example wetsuit embodiment of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 3, and as mentioned previously, the incorporation of beads 14 may facilitate the donning and doffing of an article of clothing 10 according to one embodiment. For example, some articles of clothing may be difficult to don or doff due to the type of the article of clothing 10, a form-fitting nature of article of clothing 10, and/or the materials of clothing layers of the article of clothing 10 (e.g., a wetsuit) and the beads 14 may be configured to assist a user with donning and/or doffing the article of clothing 10.

FIG. 3 depicts an article of clothing 10 having the beads 14 attached to the clothing layer 12, and the beads 14 are provided between surface 13 of clothing layer 12 and the skin 17 of the individual when the article of clothing 10 is worn by the individual. Surface 13 is an outermost surface of one or more clothing layers 12 of the article of clothing 10 in the illustrated embodiment. As mentioned above, the surface 13 of the clothing layer 12 is also the innermost surface of the article of clothing 10 which is provided adjacent to the skin 17 of the individual when the article of clothing 10 is worn by the individual in the depicted embodiment.

In the illustration, a user is not wearing an intermediate piece of clothing between the article of clothing 10 and their skin 17, and accordingly, the beads 14 contact the skin 17 of the user in the illustrated embodiment. Furthermore, the beads 14 also contact surface 13 of the clothing layer 12 in the depicted embodiment.

In one embodiment mentioned above, the beads 14 are attached to the article of clothing 10 in an attachment configuration which permits the beads 14 to rotate while the article of clothing 10 is worn and donned or doffed by the individual. In one embodiment, the attachment configuration permits the beads to rotate to facilitate donning or doffing of the article of clothing 10. More specifically, the attachment configuration permits the beads to rotate in a direction which is aligned with a direction of movement of the article of clothing 10 with respect to the skin 17 of the individual during donning or doffing of the article of clothing 10 in one embodiment.

For example, if the beads 14 are attached to a portion of the article of clothing 10 which corresponds to the torso of the individual, the beads 14 may be configured to rotate about an axis which is horizontally aligned (e.g., parallel with the waist of the individual). Accordingly, in this example, the article of clothing 10 is moved in an upward or downward direction of movement when the individual dons or doffs the article of clothing 10. More specifically, the example of FIG. 3 illustrates a user lowering the article of clothing 10, for example, while the article of clothing 10 is being donned and the beads 14 rotate in a clockwise motion between the skin 17 and the clothing layer 12. The rotation of the beads 14 facilitates movement of the article of clothing 10 with respect to the skin 17 of the individual and facilitates the donning or doffing of the article of clothing 10 in one embodiment.

The implementation or incorporation of the beads 14 into clothing described herein may be particularly suitable for certain types of articles of clothing. A few examples, including a wetsuit and a footwear insole which incorporate beads 14, are described below with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. However, as mentioned above, the beads may be provided within any type of article of clothing.

Referring to FIG. 4, the illustrated example article of clothing 10a which includes beads is a wetsuit 30. The illustration shows the exterior of the wetsuit 30, while the beads are incorporated into the interior of the wetsuit 30 in the described embodiment and which may contact the skin of the individual or other undergarment being worn by the individual. In one embodiment, the wetsuit 30 may include one or more clothing layers of suitable material and which may include a thermal insulating layer. The thermal insulating layer, such as neoprene, is configured to retain at least some of the heat of the individual when the wetsuit 30 is worn by the individual.

In the described example embodiment of FIG. 4, the beads are incorporated within a plurality of different defined interior areas or regions of the wetsuit 30 and less than an entirety of the interior regions of the wetsuit 30. In other embodiments, the beads may be incorporated into substantially and entirety of the interior of the wetsuit 30.

In the illustrated configuration, the wetsuit 30 includes an alternating striped pattern of different regions of the wetsuit 30 including regions 32 which include beads incorporated into the interior of the wetsuit 30 and regions 34 where beads are not incorporated into the interior of the wetsuit 30. The wetsuit 30 may include one or more clothing layers 12, such as neoprene, liners, protective layers, etc. and the beads may be attached to the innermost surface of the clothing layers which correspond to the beaded regions 32 in the described embodiment. The regions 32 which include the beads are configured to facilitate donning and doffing of the wetsuit 30 in one embodiment.

In the illustrated embodiment, the beaded regions 32 are spaced from the openings in the wetsuit 30 including the openings of the leg portions, the openings of the arm portions, and the neck. For example, the regions 32 which include beads may be spaced by approximately 4″ from each of the respective openings in one embodiment. In addition, the height dimension of the regions 32, 34 may be varied in different embodiments. In one specific example, the beaded regions 32 may individually be within a range of 1″-4″ and the non-beaded regions 34 may individually be within a range of 1″-4″. The regions 32, 34 may have different dimensions, different patterns, or may not have a common pattern in other embodiments. Furthermore, the beads may be provided within substantially an entirety of the interior surfaces of the wetsuit 30 in another alternative embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the illustrated example article of clothing 10b which includes the beads 14 is an insole 40 of footwear 42, such as a shoe, boot, sandal, etc. The insole 40 may include one or more clothing layers 12 which are provided between the outsole of the footwear 42 (e.g., outer portion of the footwear 42 which contacts the ground during walking) and the foot of the individual wearing the footwear 42. One or more clothing layers 12 of the insole 40 may function as one or more supporting layers which are configured to support the foot of the individual wearing the footwear 42 and may include an appropriate cushioning layer, an odor/perspiration control layer, an arch support layer, or other layers in example embodiments.

The beads 14 may be attached to the clothing layer 12 of the insole 40 in an arrangement which provides the beads 14 between the surface 13 of clothing layer 12 and the foot of the individual wearing the footwear 42 in one embodiment. The surface 13 of clothing layer 12 and beads 14 are configured to contact and support the bottom of the foot (or sock) of the individual wearing the footwear 42 in one embodiment. The beads 14 may or may not be configured to rotate when attached to the insole 40. In one rotation embodiment, the beads 14 are configured to rotate in a direction which is aligned with a direction of movement of the foot of the individual into and out of the footwear 42 while the individual is putting on or taking off the footwear 42.

In one embodiment, the beads 14 of the insole 40 may have different sizes corresponding to different portions of the foot of the individual. For example, the beads 14 in the regions of the insole 40 which correspond to the heel and toes of the foot may be smaller than the beads 14 located in the region of the insole 40 which correspond to the arch of the foot. In one more specific example, the beads 14 may have a diameter of ¼″ at the heel or toe regions and a diameter of ½″ at the arch region. Other configurations of footwear insoles 40 are possible in other embodiments.

The footwear insole 40 may be available apart from the footwear 42 as a separate insole to be placed in the bottom of an individual's existing footwear in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the footwear insole 40 may be sewn or assembled into the footwear 42 during fabrication of the footwear 42.

As mentioned above, the beads 14 may assist an individual with donning or doffing of the article of clothing 10. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the beads 14 may provide comfort to individuals wearing the articles of clothing 10. For example, in the described example wetsuit embodiment, the beads may provide a micro-massage to an individual wearing the wetsuit by movement of the individual and which may provide muscle relaxation and/or improved blood circulation while the individual is immersed in water. In another example, the beads may provide reflexology therapy to an individual wearing footwear which includes the insole having the beads.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

Further, aspects herein have been presented for guidance in construction and/or operation of illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. Applicant(s) hereof consider these described illustrative embodiments to also include, disclose and describe further inventive aspects in addition to those explicitly disclosed. For example, the additional inventive aspects may include less, more and/or alternative features than those described in the illustrative embodiments. In more specific examples, Applicants consider the disclosure to include, disclose and describe methods which include less, more and/or alternative steps than those methods explicitly disclosed as well as apparatus which includes less, more and/or alternative structure than the explicitly disclosed structure. 

1. An article of clothing to be worn by an individual comprising: a clothing layer configured to cover at least a portion of the body of the individual when the article of clothing is worn by the individual; and a plurality of beads attached to the clothing layer, wherein the beads are provided between an outermost surface of the clothing layer and skin of the individual when the article of clothing is worn by the individual.
 2. The article of claim 1 wherein the beads are attached to the clothing layer in an attachment configuration which permits the beads to rotate.
 3. The article of claim 2 wherein the attachment configuration permits the beads to rotate in a direction which facilitates donning or doffing of the article of clothing by the individual.
 4. The article of claim 3 wherein the attachment configuration permits the beads to rotate in the direction which is aligned with a direction of movement of the article of clothing with respect to the skin of the individual during the donning or doffing of the article of clothing.
 5. The article of claim 1 wherein the beads individually include an aperture, and further comprising an attachment member which passes through the aperture of an individual one of the beads and attaches the individual one of the beads to the clothing layer.
 6. The article of claim 5 wherein the attachment member is attached to the clothing layer at locations which are immediately adjacent to opposing sides of the individual one of the beads.
 7. The article of claim 1 wherein the clothing layer includes a plurality of regions, and the beads are attached to some of the regions and others of the regions are void of the beads.
 8. The article of claim 7 wherein the regions which include the beads and the regions which are void of the beads are alternated in a striped pattern.
 9. The article of claim 1 wherein the beads contact the skin of the individual when the article of clothing is worn by the individual.
 10. The article of claim 1 wherein the beads contact the outermost surface of the clothing layer when the article of clothing is worn by the individual.
 11. The article of claim 1 wherein the beads are provided between the clothing layer and the skin of the individual when the article of clothing is worn by the individual.
 12. The article of claim 1 wherein the outermost surface of the clothing layer is an innermost surface of the article of clothing.
 13. The article of claim 1 wherein the article of clothing is a wetsuit and the clothing layer is a thermal insulating layer.
 14. The article of claim 1 wherein the article of clothing is a footwear insole and the clothing layer is a supporting layer.
 15. A wetsuit comprising: a thermal insulating layer which is configured to cover at least a portion of the body of an individual and to retain at least some heat of the individual when the wetsuit is worn by the individual; and a plurality of beads attached to the thermal insulating layer and which are provided adjacent to skin of the individual when the wetsuit is worn by the individual.
 16. The wetsuit of claim 15 wherein the beads are attached to the thermal insulating layer in an attachment configuration which permits the beads to rotate.
 17. The wetsuit of claim 16 wherein the attachment configuration permits the beads rotate in a direction which facilitates donning or doffing of the wetsuit by the individual.
 18. The wetsuit of claim 17 wherein the attachment configuration permits the beads to rotate in the direction which is aligned with a direction of movement of the wetsuit with respect to the skin of the individual during the donning or doffing of the wetsuit.
 19. The wetsuit of claim 15 wherein the beads individually include an aperture, and further comprising an attachment member which passes through the aperture of an individual one of the beads and attaches the individual one of the beads to the thermal insulating layer.
 20. The wetsuit of claim 19 wherein the attachment member is attached to the thermal insulating layer at locations which are immediately adjacent to opposing sides of the individual one of the beads.
 21. The wetsuit of claim 15 wherein the thermal insulating layer includes a plurality of regions, and the beads are attached to some of the regions and others of the regions are void of the beads.
 22. The wetsuit of claim 21 wherein the regions which include the beads and the regions which are void of the beads are alternated in a striped pattern.
 23. The wetsuit of claim 15 wherein the beads contact the skin of the individual when the wetsuit is worn by the individual.
 24. The wetsuit of claim 15 wherein the beads contact the thermal insulating layer when the wetsuit is worn by the individual.
 25. The wetsuit of claim 15 wherein the beads are provided between an innermost surface of the wetsuit and the skin of the individual when the wetsuit is worn by the individual.
 26. The wetsuit of claim 15 wherein the beads are provided between the thermal insulating layer and the skin of the individual when the wetsuit is worn by the individual.
 27. A footwear insole comprising: a supporting layer which is provided between an outsole of footwear which comprises the insole and a foot of an individual wearing the footwear, and wherein the supporting layer is configured to support the foot of the individual when the foot is inserted into the footwear; and a plurality of beads attached to the supporting layer and wherein the beads are positioned between the supporting layer and the foot of the individual when the individual is wearing the footwear.
 28. The insole of claim 27 wherein the beads are attached to the supporting layer in an attachment configuration which permits the beads to rotate.
 29. The insole of claim 28 wherein the attachment configuration permits the beads to rotate in a direction which facilitates movement of the foot into or out of the footwear.
 30. The insole of claim 29 wherein the attachment configuration permits the beads to rotate in the direction which is aligned with a direction of movement of the foot of the individual into or out of the footwear.
 31. The insole of claim 27 wherein the beads individually include an aperture, and further comprising an attachment member which passes through the aperture of an individual one of the beads and attaches the individual one of the beads to the supporting layer.
 32. The insole of claim 31 wherein the attachment member is attached to the supporting layer at locations which are immediately adjacent to opposing sides of the individual one of the beads.
 33. The insole of claim 27 wherein the beads contact the foot of the individual when the footwear is worn by the individual.
 34. The insole of claim 27 wherein the beads contact the supporting layer when the footwear is worn by the individual.
 35. The insole of claim 27 wherein the beads are positioned between the foot of the individual and an upper surface of the supporting layer when the footwear is worn by the individual.
 36. The insole of claim 27 wherein the beads are provided between the foot of the individual and an outermost surface of the insole when the footwear is worn by the individual.
 37. The insole of claim 27 wherein the beads comprise beads of different sizes which are attached to different regions of the insole which correspond to different portions of the foot of the individual.
 38. The insole of claim 37 wherein the beads which are located adjacent to an arch of the foot of the individual are larger than the beads which are located adjacent to a heel and toes of the foot of the individual. 